Aston Villa are poised to act for forward Nicolas Jackson if they manage to offload Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Chelsea have placed a £65 million price tag on Jackson, reflecting his high standing after a season spent on loan at Bayern Munich. Al Hilal continue to negotiate for Watkins, who has expressed a strong desire to move to the Kingdom.
The Saudi club have already had at least one of their offers rejected; the initial bid was reported to be around £38.5 million. Despite Villa’s reluctance to part with their prolific striker, Al Hilal are pressing hard, emphasizing Watkins’ impressive record of 16 league goals last term, a tally that helped Villa clinch the Europa League and secure a place in the following season's Champions League. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have also entered the race for Jackson, though their preferred approach appears to be a loan arrangement rather than a full purchase.
Chelsea, however, are insistent on a permanent deal, having watched Jackson develop during his loan spell in Germany. The two English clubs share a strong working relationship at senior level; this summer they already completed notable transactions, including the record‑breaking transfer of Morgan Rogers and the acquisition of Alejandro Garnacho for the Aston Villa colours. Jackson’s connection with Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, runs deep – both men previously worked together at Villarreal, forging a professional bond that could smooth any potential move. The manager’s comments in a pre‑match briefing ahead of the Brighton game underscored the club’s stance: "We have an issue with him, it is clear.
We had offers for him but he is our player. I don't want to sell him but it can change if it is a good option for him, the club and I can replace him in the squad.
He is here and is a fantastic striker. We have always believed and supported him, he did it." Emery also addressed speculation about Watkins’ future, stating, "I don't know, maybe you have more information than us!
Football is changing. The players are professional and Watkins is our player." He added that with only ten days remaining in the transfer window, decisions would be guided by what benefits both the player and the club. Watkins, now 30, is being linked as a possible successor to Karim Benzema at Al Hilal, which is also seeking a solution to the French forward’s contract impasse. The Saudi side’s interest in Watkins stems from his standout season – 16 league goals and a pivotal role in Villa’s Europa League triumph – and his inclusion in England’s provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup.
In addition to the forward situation, Villa are dealing with goalkeeper turnover. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has hinted at a desire for a new challenge, prompting Emery to confirm that Japan’s Zion Suzuki, signed from Parma earlier this summer, was brought in to provide immediate competition. A potential move to Juventus for Martinez fell through, leaving the Argentine keeper at Villa for now. Emery explained, "We have two excellent keepers.
We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now. He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level.
Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic. This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him. But the scenario we have is that we have two great goalkeepers.
We will see what will happen." The broader transfer narrative at Villa suggests a strategic reshuffle: retaining a high‑valued striker like Jackson could offset the loss of Watkins, while the club’s existing relationships with Chelsea may facilitate a smooth negotiation. If Al Hilal finalize Watkins’ departure, Villa could unlock significant funds, potentially allowing them to meet Chelsea’s £65 million demand for Jackson or at least negotiate a lucrative loan with an option to buy. Fans are urged to stay updated via Sky Sports, which offers live Premier League streaming on mobile devices and various subscription options for those without a traditional Sky package. The club’s transfer centre remains active, with daily updates on rumors and confirmed moves.
In summary, Aston Villa stand at a crossroads: either retain their English striker and seek alternative solutions for Watkins, or capitalize on the Saudi club’s interest, free up budget, and pursue Jackson aggressively. The next ten days will be decisive, with manager Unai Emery emphasizing that any decision will prioritize the club’s competitive ambitions, squad balance, and the professional aspirations of the players involved.